Barbara Ann McGourty, 65, a resident of the Town of Beekman, died at her home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012.

Born in Peekskill on June 25, 1947, she was the daughter of William R. and Marion L. Beiser Roake and was a graduate of Lakeland High School. She was employed as a secretary for IBM, East Fishkill and then worked for the State of New York Department of Corrections at Fishkill Correctional Facility as a secretary for 25 years until her retirement in 2010.

On July 7, 1984 at the Beekman Baptist Church, Barbara married John Anthony McGourty who predeceased her on May 26, 2012. Every year, children anxiously looked forward to visiting with John who enthralled them as the wonderful and mystical "Kris Kringle." This year, Barbara will be spending Christmas with the love of her life, her very own "Kris Kringle."

Barbara is survived by her beloved cats, Buffy, Star, Precious, Princess & Pinky and her best friends, Margaret and Harold Stewart.






Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 6-8pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 11am at the funeral home with Rev. Robert Eckler officiating. Interment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Paws for Love, PO Box 376, Crompound, NY 10517.

For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.